A LORRY driver who was woken by a gang of thieves used his vehicle to try and stop the crooks from escaping.

The lorry was broken into at Barton Lorry Park on the A1 near Scotch Corner in the early hours of Monday morning.

The gang of around eight thieves had arrived in a van and attempted to steal boxes of shoes and load them onto another lorry nearby.

The driver of the targeted lorry was woken up and threatened by one of the thieves.

As the gang's vehicle tried to leave the park, the victim blocked its way with his own vehicle and around eight suspects escaped on foot.

Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area between 1am and 5am who may have seen anyone on foot or who has been flagged down either on the A1 or the roads nearby to contact them.

They would also like to hear from anyone who has any dash-cam footage that might have captured the suspects at the side of the road. Call the police on 101.